Sometimes the power of political persuasion is not enough and governments (of every kind: good, bad and ugly) unleash such armored vehicles to contain and thoroughly soak the unruly masses. Powerful water-canons, high-voltage electricity, sometimes even guns combine into one intimidating whole, which if not used against protesters, can be sent to raze down the scores of zombies in the "Living Dead" movies.

Here's a collection of some of the most fearsome riot-control vehicles from all over the world, rarely seen in books or online - often information about such machines is not readily available, as governments prefer to hide them inside garages and bring them out only when needed (you will not see them at any parades, and hopefully will not see them in action, ever)

"Avalanche" system for Russian OMON (special police)

KRAZ AVC-30 from Kiev, Ukraine

Rosenbauer RWD 10000 from Austria

Russian BRDM used by Czech Police (judging by dents and scratches, used quite extensively)

It all started in Germany, in 1931. The first anti-protest vehicle equipped was built on Mercedes chassis, and already had a large water cistern in the back and a rotating turret with water-cannon. In the following years (especially after creation of West Berlin) Germany built so many of these trucks, that police forces often used them to deliver water to nearby suburban areas.

Some anti-riot trucks were repainted red and were used as fire engines. Here is the Magirus-Mercur model from 1962:

During the 70s and 80s the "popularity" of such machines increased due to their extensive employment in West Berlin, Chile and Algeria. Many repressive regimes began to pre-order these models from mostly European manufacturers, for various (mostly nefarious) uses:

Soviet Russia & Eastern Bloc People's Machines

Communist propaganda liked to show photos of such machines used against protesters in the capitalist countries. However, the Eastern Bloc had its own line-up of riot police vehicles. The very first of them, again, was manufactured in Germany and used extensively around the Berlin Wall to "cool off" the heads of workers, intent on feeing the country. From East Germany ( IFA G5 ), to Poland (Hydromil), then to Russia - originally Soviet anti-riot trucks were just the customized fire engines. On other photos you can see the Belorussian monster, made from the military MAZ chassis:

Polish Hydromil truck

This one, commissioned by Moscow militia, is pretty impressive: it's called "Lavina-Uragan" (which means "Hurricane-Avalanche") and lives up to its name, drenching protesters with powerful water-cannons, otherwise used to put out huge fires at airports and oil refineries:

With every following model "Avalanches" became more & more state-of-the-art (apparently the development of these "mass-pacifiers" has become a priority for the aging Soviet communist government)

Check out the dashboard and water-cannon control panels, featuring joysticks and a prominent "i-drive"-style controller knob mounted on the center console:

Other equipment includes lower water spouts, roof-mounted grenade-launchers and (if all else fails, a common red ax) -

Middle East Politics on Wheels

Volatile Middle East political situation cries out for the development and frequent use of such machines, and the governments are all too eager to build their own arsenals of repression. Here is an Egypt-made Fahd 240/30, which features great maneuverability combined with a high fire-power at effective long range. It can operate against tanks, armored vehicles, low flying aircraft, helicopters and any possible riot situation in urban environment:

It may look less frightening than other models, but it excels in foam & water action:

Riot Control Around the World:

Some of the Slovakian models:

Singapore's own PTU vehicle:

South Korean Jino Motors:

Another South Korean truck: Soosan / Daewoo -

Special buses were used to block the streets during 2007 APEC protests:

The Utmost in "Mobile Fortress" Technology

This British "Locomotors" vehicle, based on the Bedford truck chassis, provided enough space for 12 soldiers, was equipped with 16 grenade launchers, night vision devices, high-voltage armored plates, and could be fully self-contained (it even had a toilet inside). Only 9 such machines were made, most supplied to various tyrants in Asia and Africa. The last truck was acquired by a private collector, who goes out in it from time to time to demolish buildings in his neighborhood for fun and profit.

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Brazil have one veicle called "caveirão" (big skull)...they use it to invade the shanty town on Rio de janeiro, and now Florianopolis have one too....They climb the hills and shot the people..sad....You can see this here:http://mundoestranho.abril.com.br/materia/pop_caveirao.shtmland here:http://odia.terra.com.br/rio/galeria_foto/caveirao/index.asp

This is a very liberal writer. Apparently it's ok for rioters to get out of control and vandalize and steal merchandise out of stores. These machines are not brought out for obvious reasons. They are not used on everyone. The majority of people have common sense and will leave when the crowd becomes out of hand. When you are ordered to disperse and do not disperse what do you think is going to happen.

re. the two pictures right under the caption ' Riot Control Around the World:' the first one is odd the one in front is belgian (numberplate) whereas the one behind is Dutch. Anyone any idea where this took place. The second one may be Dutch as well, we used to call them Black Madonnas, before the student riots they were mainly used in new years eve riots

"However, the Eastern Bloc had its own line-up of riot police vehicles." - No. only DDR since early 60`s

"cool off" the heads of workers, intent on feeing the country." - What workers? fled to the West mainly intellectuals/

"Poland (Hydromil)" - since 1979.

"then to Russia - originally Soviet anti-riot trucks were just the customized fire engines" - :))) not customaized. USSR had no such machines. No they need. This is the usual fire engine ZIL-131 6x6 of the fire depot.

Belarusian MAZ is airport fire engine in green. He appeared in a democratic Belarus. Before Lukashenko in 1992.